How Do I Find the Right Therapist For Me?

2/25/23

If you are new to therapy, the prospect of not only finding a therapist, but finding a therapist that you connect with can be very daunting.  Perhaps you are someone that has been attending therapy for years and are growing frustrated with a recurring pattern of providers who just don’t seem to be the right fit.  Therapy is inherently an incredibly personal experience, which means that finding a therapist who you are comfortable with and who has the right treatment style for your specific needs is very important.  By finding the right therapist, you will be able to maximize the benefits that treatment can provide for you.  There are many different providers with many different treatment modalities, and not all of them will be the right fit for you.  However, by doing some preliminary research, the process of finding a provider that you are able to connect with can be simple.

When beginning the search for a therapist, there are several important things to keep in mind to avoid choosing someone who may not be a good fit.  First, it is important to try to pinpoint exactly what it is you are looking to explore or resolve through therapy.  For example, you may be looking to treat anxiety and past trauma, or change your behavioral response to certain triggers.  Or, you might be looking to talk through marital, familial or relationship problems with a neutral party.  There are many different reasons for seeking therapy, and going into your search for a therapist with a focus on what you would like to work on will help you to choose the correct provider.  Next, it is helpful to consider which style of treatment you might prefer.  You may be someone who responds best to being challenged, or being supported and motivated, or maybe even a mixture of the two.  Some people may want a solution-based approach, while others might just want an unbiased ear.  Therapy styles are as nuanced and varied as personality types, so you must always keep in mind which style you would get the most benefit from.

It is also important to consider whether or not you would like to stay in network with your insurance plan, and whether you would like to see a provider in person or virtually.  Some therapists may treat clients exclusively in-office, or vice versa, so you must always take this into consideration depending on your lifestyle and weekly schedule.

Once you have determined what type and style of therapy you are looking for, there are many different sites that can help you connect with therapists.  Websites such as Psychology Today, Therapy Den, and Zencare can help you find a provider based on specialty, location, insurance, gender, and age preferences.  Aside from browsing websites, you could also consider recommendations from family or friends.  If you know someone who has a therapist that they trust, they might be able to recommend the practice to you.  Therapy practices often employ multiple providers and they may be able to recommend another therapist that would suit your needs.  Alternatively, you could also find therapists through your insurance provider by calling the number listed on your insurance card.  Insurance companies can list providers for you over the phone or send you lists of in-network providers in your area via email upon request.  If you want to avoid the possibility of finding a therapist that may not accept your specific insurance plan, it may be a good idea to find care via your insurance provider.

After finding a therapist, make sure to take a moment to read their website to make sure that their style would suit your needs.  You can also use their website to get a feel for their past experience and the areas that they might specialize in treating.  If what you see on their website resonates with you, the next step would be to reach out to set up a consultation.  During this initial consultation, it is important to ask any and all questions that you may have.  This would be a good time to make sure that they have experience working with the specific problems you are looking to address in therapy, and to learn their availability and whether they accept your insurance plan.  Your potential future therapist should be happy to spend a few extra minutes explaining their process and answering your questions.  Then, if everything goes well during your initial consultation, the next step would be to schedule an appointment.

While the task of finding the right therapist for you can seem daunting at first when sifting through a digital sea of providers and therapist websites, there are several steps you can take to make the process easier.  Finding a provider that is the right fit for you and your needs will help you maximize the benefits that you will receive from therapy.

Author: Alexandria La Forge